Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa Nairobi, Kenya Please submit all media inquiries to cero@crisisgroup.org or call +32 (0) 2 536 00 71 Crisis Group Role Comfort Ero has been Crisis Group's Nairobi-based Africa Program Director since January 2011. She previously worked with Crisis Group as West Africa Project Director. As Program Director, Comfort oversees projects covering South, West, Central and the Horn of Africa. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London. Comfort also sits on the editorial board of various journals, including International Peacekeeping. Areas of Expertise Conflict prevention, management and resolution Mediation Peacekeeping Transitional justice Politics and international relations of Africa Professional Background Deputy Africa Program Director for the International Centre for Transitional Justice (2008-2010) Political Affairs Officer and Policy Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Mission in Liberia (2004-2007) Project Director, West Africa Office, International Crisis Group (2001-2004) Research Fellow, Conflict, Security & Development Group, Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, London (1999-2001) Research Associate, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London (1998-1999) PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London Languages English (native) French (conversant) In The News 15 Feb 2017 Despite the rise of new security structures in [Africa] the last few years, [they] haven't done much to change the [political] dynamic on the ground. All Africa Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa 13 Oct 2016 We have to think very carefully about the use of violence [against Boko Haram], sometimes it is necessary, but it mustn’t aggravate the situation, rather it must help to reduce or resolve the conflict. Force should be used cautiously. Leadership Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa Latest Updates Op-Ed / Africa 22 January 2017 Tripartite Changing of the Guard With leadership transitions at the United Nations, African Union and in the United States creating uncertainty, Crisis Group's Africa Program Director Comfort Ero and African Union Relations Adviser Elissa Jobson spotlight the three main challenges to Africa's peace and security in the coming months. Originally published in The Africa Report Op-Ed / Africa 22 September 2016 Tough but Essential: Germany’s Political Engagement with Crisis Prevention in Africa In recent years, Germany has stepped up its engagement in Africa, notably in Mali. But there is room for improvement: In concert with the EU, UN and regional partners, Germany should lead the way to a more strategic political engagement with crisis prevention on the continent. Originally published in PeaceLab 2016 Op-Ed / Africa 27 January 2015 Les élections de février, un test décisif pour l'unité du Nigéria Originally published in Jeune Afrique Op-Ed / Africa 16 January 2015 Nigeria's elections promise a genuine contest – but avoiding unrest is vital Originally published in The Guardian Op-Ed / Global 3 October 2014 Countering Terrorism Must Go Beyond International Law Enforcement Originally published in Today's Zaman Load more